Machine for molding toe portions oe shoe-uppers



M. BROCK.

MACHINE FOR MOLDING TOE PORTIONS 0F SHOE UPPERSf APPLICATION FILED DEC. I, 1911.

Patented Aug; 29, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Fig.1. 7

M. BROOK.

MACHINE FOR MOLDING TOE PORTIONS OF SHOE UPPERS.

APPLICATION men use. I, 1911.

1 1 95,965 Patented Aug. 29, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- Fig; 2.

| Ill" M. BROCK.

MACHINE FOR MOLDING TOE PORTIONS 0F SHOE UPPERS.

APPUCATION FILED 05c. 1911.

1,1 95,965. Patented Aug. 29, 1916.

3 SHEETSSH EET Ia.

w w wm zm 5 ED STAS FATE OFFIOE,

MATTHIAS BROOK, 033 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO UNITED SHOE MACHINERY COMPANY, OF PAT ERSON, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEVV' JERSEY.

MACHINE FOR MOLDING TOE PORTIONS OF SHOE-UPPERS.

Application filed December 1, 1911.

To (all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, hLvr'rHiAs BROOK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain Improvements in Machines for Molding Toe Portions of Shoe-Uppers, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like reference characters on the drawings indicating like parts in the several figures.

This invention relates to machines for stretching and shaping shoe vamps and is herein shown as embodied in a machine for stretching a vamp preliminary to the lasting operation.

Objects of this invention are to secure better and more smoothly formed toes on shoes and to reduce the labor cost of last ing shoes.

An important feature of this invention consists in the combination of means for clamping the marginal portion of the forepart of a vamp with a toe former arranged to be forced against the vamp to stretch it.

A further feature of the invention consists in the combination with vamp margin clamping means and a toe former, of means for positioning the vamp before it is clamped. The extent and the direction of the stretching action produced on the forepart of a vamp by the operation of a toe former may be governed by forcing the edges of the vamp inwardly more or less and in selected directions and thereby raising the middle or body portion of the vamp before the margin of the vamp is clamped. This operation of raising the body portion of the vamp relatively to its marginal portion before the margin is clamped is herein designated for convenience as humping he stock. In the illustrative machine herein shown the toe former has a normal position projecting somewhat through the lower clamping member so that it serves to deflect out of the plane of the lower clamping member the stock spread over it and to hold the stock deflected or humped when the clamping members are brought into cooperating relation for clamping the margin of the vamp.

A further feature of the invention consists in means other than the described rela:

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented An 29, 1916.

Serial No. 663,393.

tive arrangement of the clamping means and toe former for deflecting upwardly or humping the vamp transversely before its margin is clamped.

Another feature of the invention consists in an arrangement by which means for supporting the vamp is movable outwardly from under the upper clamping member to facilitate the arrangement of the vamp on the supporting means. The space between the clamping members is, as herein shown, vertically restricted and this feature of the invention enables the operator to arrange the work quickly and accurately.

Another feature of the invention consists in means for preventing the toe end of the vamp from pulling rearwardly during the longitudinal stretching of the vamp. This means is herein shown as comprising a toe gripper which is employed in addition to the clamps.

A further important feature of this invention consists .in means for preventing bowing or forward displacement of the middle portion of the tip seam of the vamp during the vamp stretching and shaping operation. In the illustrative machine a tip seam clamp is employed which is arranged to cooperate with the toe former for automatically gripping and securely holding the vamp at the tip seam. By reason of the secure holding of the vamp at the tip seam and the end of the toe, the vamp is forcibly pulled longitudinally of the vamp when the toe former is upraised into the vamp.

Another feature of this invention consists in novel construction and arrangement of a vamp shaping machine for properly shaping right and left vamps. As herein shown the vamp holding and shaping members are arranged for adjustment to adapt them for operating upon right and left Vamps. To this end, the upper clamping member, which is an open Ushaped frame, has clamping faces uponits upper and upon its lower edges and is removably held in place so that it can be taken out and turned over for use with a left vamp after having been used with a right vamp. The lower clamping plate is also removably supported and capable of being removed and turned over. The toe former is shaped at one end to adapt it for stretching and forming a left vamp and at its other end for stretching and forming a right vamp and it is so mounted in the machine that it can be removed and turned end for end according to the work to be done.

In addition to means for holding and operating upon the forepart of the vamp the machine is preferably provided with means for supporting in normal position the rear part of the vamp. This is shown as comprising a rearwardly extending arm upon which is adjustable a block supporting a member that is adapted to fit inside the heel part of the vamp. This arrangement provides for holding the sides of the vamp straight and facilitates proper clamping of the vamp in position to be suitably stretched in shape.

The features of the invention above mentioned and other mechanical features hereinafter described, including certain details of construction and combinations of parts, will now be explained in connection with the accompanying drawings and will then be pointed out in the claims. That portion of this invention which comprises the improvements herein disclosed in methods of stretching and shaping vamps is not claimed in this application but is claimed in a companion application Ser. No. 50,630, filed Sept. 14:, 1915.

Figure ll of the drawing is a side elevation of a machine embodying thisiinvention for the purpose of explanation; Fig. 2 is a front view of the upper portion of the machine, the rear part vamp supporting arm being shown in section; Fig. 3 is a perspective view looking rearwardly and showing the vamp applied to the lower clamping plate on the toe former; Fig. a is a perspective view looking forwardly into the machine and showing the work in place.

The machine comprises a frame or column 2 adapted to stand on the floor and in which is mounted for reciprocation a plunger 1 having a guide On a reduced portion of the plunger is supported a collar 6 by which it acts through a spring 8 to uplift yieldingly a cross-head 10. The cross-head has gibs in which slides horizontally endwise a vamp supporting and clamping plate 12 having an opening, as best shown in Fig. 3, contoured to correspond approximately with the contour of the forepart of a last. This plate is reversible to serve for right and left vamps, that is, vamps which have essentially different shapes by which the right is distinguished from the left. In the head of the machine is supported the outside forming or upper clamping member 15 which is an open U-shaped frame having an edge contour corresponding with the margin of the plate 12 around its opening. The clamping member 15 is double edged so that it can be turned over to cooperate with the plate 12 in clamping right and left vamps. For

supporting the clamping member 15, outwardly pressed spring plungers 16 are mounted in a bearing in the cross-head and have reduced end portions which fit into recesses in the clamping member 15. These plungers have finger pins 17 by means of which they can be retracted for releasing the clamping member. The edge of the clamping member which is uppermost abuts against a rigid portion of the cross-head to resist the upward thrust of the lower clamping plate.

From the foregoing description it will be understood that the members 12 and 15 constitute means between which may be clamped the margin of the forepart of a shoe vamp. Preferably the mounting for the clamping member 15 permits the toe end of said member to swing downwardly to a small extent, as shown in Fig. 1, so that the toe end of the vamp is first clamped and then the lines of clamping extend rearwardly as the full clampin pressure is applied. A spring 19 insures a firm clamping of the vamp at the toe so that said vamp will not be pulled rearwardly as the sides of its forepart are being clamped.

Upon the upper end of the plunger 4 is a block 24 having a dovetailed guideway in which a rib of a toe former 2O fits as shown best in Fig. 2. This former is made double ended, that is, has one end shaped to cooperate with said clamping members in the position shown for stretching a right vamp and the other end shaped to cooperate with them when they have been positioned for stretching a left vamp. The former is unyieldingly, but it may be adjustably, supported on the plunger 4 and in its normal position the former projects upwardly to some extent through the opening in the lower clamping member as shown in the drawings. Through the block 24 is formed a vertical opening and a locking pin 25 projects upwardly through it and into a similar opening in the lower face of the toe former for positioning the latter and holding it. There is a recess in the under side of each end of the former as shown in Fig. 1 so that it may be locked with either the end shaped for a right vamp or the end shaped for a left vamp in operative position. The look ing pin is carried by a finger lever 26 fulcrumed under the block 24 and a spring is arranged to hold the pin normally in operative position. The sliding connection between the former 20 and the block 2-1 permits the former, as well as the clamping plate 12, to be withdrawn endwise from under the clamping member 15 to facilitate the application of the vamp over the plate and former. The projection of the former through the opening in the plate 12 causes the vamp to be humped or bent up out of the horizontal plane before it is clamped.

The extent to which the former projects above the plate is one factor determining the extent to which the vamp shall be stretched.

There are pivoted on the top face of the lower clamping plate 12 swinging curved bars 30, Fig. 3, which in their swinging movement slide over the face of the plate. These bars constitute gages relatively to or against which the operator will position the forepart of the vamp. The cross-head 10 supports adjustably the blocks 82 which are held by binding screws 3% in position to engage the outer faces of the swinging bars 30 and close those bars inwardly more or less according to the adjustment of the blocks, when the plate 12 is moved back into the machine for presenting the vamp under the clamping member 15. These swinging bars constitute additional means for humping or fulling the vamp transversely before it is clamped. The extent to which the vamp is humped transversely by these devices assists in determining the relative extents to which the vamp is stretched lengthwise and transversely.

The cross-head 1O pivotally supports by means of a carrier 38, a gripper lever 40 the tail of which is heavier than the gripping jaw so that when it is free to do so the tail hangs downwardly maintaining the jaw in raised position. This tail of the gripper when so hanging downwardly is located in the path of the sliding plate 12 and in position to be engaged by the plate as the plate reaches its final position in the machine whereby the gripper is closed automatically and the jaw is engaged'with the toe end of the vamp.

From the head of the machine depends the tip seam clamp 45 having two stems which slide in the head and allow the clamp 15 to yield against the action of springs 46. This clamp is arranged with relation to the clamping member 15 to engage the vamp at or about the tip seam and to clamp it against the toe former 20 as the toe former is raised. The contacting member 48 of the seam clamp has a dovetailed connection with its support as appears in Fig. 1 and its lower face is preferably shaped in accordance with the contour of the toe former as may be seen from Fig. 2. WVhen the toe former is turned end for end a similar reversal of the member 48 in its holder will adapt it for the other end of the toe former. A rear part support for the vamp is provided by a rod 51 projecting from the block 21 and adjustably supporting a collar 53 having a post 63 over which the rear or heel end of the vamp may be applied as shown in Fig. 3.

The operating mechanism for moving the plunger 4 comprises toggle members 50 the lower one of which is pivoted to the machine base and the upper one to the plunger while at their joint they are connected to an adjustable rod or arm 52 extending from a sleeve which embraces an eccentric block 5 1 On shaft 55. This shaft is driven by speed reducing gears 56, 57 from a main shaft 58 on which is a continuously running belt wheel 60. A one revolution clutch controlled by an operating lever 62 connects the pulley with the gear 57 The operating lever is normally held by a spring 63 in position to disengage the clutch and is reversely moved bya treadle connection 64, 65.

It will now be understood that in the contemplated use of the illustrative machine a.

vamp, prior to being clamped along its mar- I gin, is humped or fulled more or less and that the extent to which it is stretched transversely relatively to the extent to which it is stretched longitudinally is determined in large measure by the way in which it is humped or fulled before being clamped. It will also be understood that as herein provided the lengthwise stretching of the forepart of the vamp will substantially exceed the transverse stretching. result and to prevent bowing of the tip the vamp is clamped at the tip seam and at its toe end before the stretching force is appliedto it. In the use of the machine shown for producing these results the lever 26 is manipulated for withdrawing the looking pin 25 and then the lower clamping plate 12 with the toe former is drawn outwardly from the machine. The operator then spreads the vamp over the toe former and positions its marginal portion on the clamping plate against or in relation to the swinging bars or gages 30. He also applies the rear part of the vamp over the heel piece 63 to support it and keep the sides straight until the forepart is clamped. The toe former, by reason of its projection above the clamping plate, humps the vamp up out of a horizontal plane. He then pushes the plate and toe former into the machine and as the gages 30 strike the blocks 32 said gages are swung inwardly and caused to hump the vamp transversely. As the clamping plate reaches its operative position it engages the tail of gripper 4:0 and authe toe former before the margin of the vamp is clamped against the member 15. Thus the vamp is clamped at the tip seam, as well as the toe end, before it is clamped at the sides of the forepart. After the clamping of the vamp has been efiected the To insure this continued movement of the plunger raises the toe former against and farther into the vamp to stretch and shape the vamp in accordance with the contour of said toe former. The gearing 56, 57 is proportioned to bring the machine to rest, if the treadle is released, with the vamp under tension where it may remain to allow it to set until the machine is again treadled.

Having explained the nature of this invention and described a preferred construction embodying the same I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States l. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for clamping the margin of the forepart of a shoe vamp, a toe former arranged to be forced against the vamp to stretch it, and means for humping the toe part of the vamp while the vamp is being positioned to be clamped.

2. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for clamping the margin of the forepart of a shoe vamp, and a toe former arranged to be forced against the vamp to stretch it, said machine having provision for preliminarily humping the toe part of the vamp before it is clamped.

3. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for clamping the margin of the forepart of a shoe vamp, and a toe former arranged to be forced against the vamp to stretch it, said machine having provision for supporting the toe former normally in a position partially projected into the clamp to cause the vamp to be humped over said former before the margin of the vamp is clamped.

4. A machine of the class described having, in combination, an open plate and a 00- operating member adapted to clamp the margin of the forepart of a shoe vamp, a toe former normally occupying a position projected partially through the open plate to cause the vamp to be humped over said former when it is clamped, and means for operating the clamping members and the former relatively to project the former farther through the plate for stretching the vamp.

5. A machine of the class described having, in combination, a cross-head, an open clamp shaped to the contour of the forepart of a vamp, a plunger, a toe former mounted on the plunger, an open clamping plate yieldingly supported on the plunger and embracing the former, and means for op erating the plunger to cause a vamp spread over the toe former to be clamped marginally against the upper clamping member and then to be stretched by the continued movement of the plunger and former while the plate yields.

6. A machine of the class described having, in combination, a cross-head, an open clamp shaped to the contour of the forepart of a vamp, a plunger, a toe former mounted on the plunger, an open clamping plate yieldingly supported on the plunger and embracing the former, a horizontal sliding connection between the plunger and said former and plate adapted to permit the latter parts to be partially withdrawn from under the upper clamping member for the application of the ramp, and means for reciprocating the plunger, substantially as described.

7. A machine of the class described having, in combination, an upper member shaped to clamp the margin of the forepart of a vamp, a lower clamping member, a toe former, a support on which the lower member can slide to permit withdrawal to facilitate positioning the vamp thereon, means independent of the upper clamping member for gripping the toe end of the vamp, and means for relatively moving the clamping members and the toe former to do their work.

8. A machine of the class described having, in combination, an upper member shaped to clamp the margin of theforepart of a vamp, a lower clamping member, a toe former, a gripper for the toe end of the vamp, a holder for the heel end of the vamp, and means for moving the clamping memhers and the toe former relatively to do their work.

9. A machine of the class described hav ing, in combination, an upper member shaped to clamp the margin of the forepart of a vamp, a lower clamping member, a toe former, a support on which the lower member can slide to permit withdrawal to facilitate positioning the vamp thereon, means operated automatically when said member is moved back into the machine to grip the toe end of the vamp independently of the upper clamping member, and means for relatively moving said clamping members and toe former to do their work, substantially as described.

10. A machine of the class described having, in combination, an upper member shaped to clamp the margin of the forepart of a vamp, a lower clamping member, a toe former, a plunger on which said lower member and the former can slide outwardly to facilitate positioning the vamp thereover, and a gripper lever pivoted on the plunger and arranged to be automatically closed down upon the toe end of the vamp on said lower member as said member is returned into the machine.

11. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for clamping the margin of the forepart of a shoe vamp, a toe former arranged to be forced against the vamp to stretch it, mechanism for operating the clamping means and the former, and additional means for engaging the lateral edges of the vamp and humping it transversely before it is clamped.

12. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for clamping the margin of the forepart of a shoe vamp, including a vamp supporting plate that can be withdrawn horizontally to facilitate positioning the vamp upon it, means arranged to engage the lateral edges of the vamp on said plate as the plate is returned and operating automatically to hump the vamp before it is clamped, and a toe former movable relatively to the clamped vamp to stretch it.

13. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for clamping the margin of the forepart of a shoe vamp including a vamp supporting plate, a table on which the plate is movable for withdrawal to facilitate positioning the vamp, humpers movable on said plate, cooperating means on the table to cause the humpers to engage the lateral edges of the vamp and force them toward each other as the plate is returned, a toe former, and means for operating it to stretch the clamped and humped vamp.

1 1. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for clamping the margin of the forepart of a shoe vamp, means to hump the vamp transversely, means to grip the toe end of the vamp, a toe former, and means for operating the several parts to do their work.

15. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for clamping the margin of a shoe vamp including a nonsymmetrical double edged upper clamp that can be turned over for right and left vamps and a lower clamping plate having a nonsymmetrical opening and which can be turned over for right and left vamps, means for supporting and operating said clamping means, and a toe former arranged to be forced against a vamp which is held at its nargin by said clamping means.

16; A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for clamping the margin of a shoe vamp including a nonsymmetrical double edged upper clamp that can be turned over for right and left vamps and a lower clamping plate having a nonsymmetrical opening and which can be turned over for right and left vamps, means for supporting said clamping means, a double ended toe former which can be turned end for end for right and left vamps, and means for operating said clamping means and the former to clamp and stretch a vamp.

17. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for clamping the margin of a shoe vamp, a toe gripper, a toe former, and operating means all organized to cause the vamp to be gripped at the toe end, then clamped along its margin from the toe end backwardly and then to be stretched by the toe former.

18. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for clamping the margin of a shoe vamp, a toe gripper, humpers, a toe former, and operating means all organized to cause the vamp to be humped laterally and gripped at the toe and then clamped at the sides and stretched by the toe former while it is so held.

19. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for clamping the margin of a shoe vamp, a toe gripper, a tipseam holder, a toe former, and operating means all organized to cause the former to stretch the vamp while it is held by the clamping means, toe gripper and seam holder.

20. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for clamping the margin of a shoe vamp, a toe former, means for operating the former to stretch the vamp held by the clamping means, and means arranged to restrain the tip seam from distortion during the stretching operation.

21. A machine of the class described havmg, in combination, means for clamping the margin of a shoe vamp, a toe former, means for operating the former to stretch the vamp held by the clamping means, and a tip seam holder mounted to maintain clamping engagement with the tip seam during the vamp stretching operation.

22. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for confining the margin of the forepart of a shoe vamp, a

forepart former arranged to be forced against the unconfined portion of the vamp to stretch it, and means yieldable in the direction inwhich said former moves and ar ranged to apply pressure to the top face of the forepart of the vamp while it is under tension over the former.

23. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for clamping the margin of the forepart of a vamp, a forepart former, a tip seam clamp, and operating mechanism constructed and arranged to cause the vamp to be clamped between the former and the tip seam clamp and then between the vamp margin clamping means, and thereafter to cause the former to shape the unconfined portion of the vamp.

24. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for clamping the margin of a shoe vamp, a toe former, means for operating the former to stretch the vamp held by the clamping means, and a tip seam clamp opposed to the toe former and mounted to yield substantially perpendicular to the plane of the vamp but not parallel therewith while holding the tip seam from bowing during the vamp stretching movement of the toe former.

25. A machine of the class described having, in combination, a U-shaped vamp margin clamping member of non-symmetrical formation adapting it to be turned over for use with right and left Vamps, and a tip seam clamp yieldingly mounted relatively to said member.

26. A machine of the class described having, in combination, upper and lower members arranged to clamp between them the margin of the forepart of a vamp, and a toe former to be forced against the vamp so clamped, the clamping members being arranged to grip the upper first at the toe end and then at the sides.

27. A machine of the class described having, in combination, upper and lower members arranged to clamp between them the margin of the forepart of a vamp, and a toe former arranged to be forced against the vamp so clamped, the clamping members being arranged for relative adjustment to position their stock clamping faces out of parallelism.

28. A machine of the class described having, in combination, upper and lower members arranged to clamp between them the margin of the forepart of a vamp, and a toe former to be forced against the vamp so clamped, one of said clamping members being held normally with its toe end nearer the work than its side portions whereby the vamp is clamped first at the toe end and then at the sides.

29. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for clamping a vamp marginally and along the tip seam, and a toe former to stretch the clamped vamp, said machine being constructed and arranged to position and hold the vamp so that it will be strained lengthwise more than it is strained transversely.

30. A machine of the class described hav ing, in combination, means for clamping a vamp marginally, a toe former to stretch the clamped vamp, means cooperating with the toe former to clamp the vamp at the tip seam, and operating mechanism for said margin clamping means and toe former.

31. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for clamping a vamp marginally and a toe former to stretch the clamped vamp, and additional holding means for the toe end and the tip seam of the vamp to compel lengthwise stretching of it between these points by the former.

32. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for clamping a vamp marginally, a toe former to stretch the clamped vamp, additional holding means for the toe end and the tip seam of the vamp, and means for humping the vamp transversely before it is clamped whereby fullness is provided to facilitate lengthwise stretching of the vamp between the tip seam and its toe end.

33. A machine of the class described hav ing, in combination, means for clamping the margin of the forepart of a shoe vamp, and gages for the two corners of the toe portion of the vamp arranged with relation to the clamping means for the edges of the vamp to be abutted edgewise against the gages.

34:. A machine of the class described having means for clamping the margin of the forepart of a shoe vamp, said means comprising a lower clamping plate upon which the vamp may be out-spread for the operation of the machine and an upper clamping member, a forepart former movable relatively to the clamping means to shape the vamp, and gages arranged at opposite sides of the forepart former in position to guide the operative in positioning the vamp longitudinally and transversely relative to the forepart former.

35. A machine of the class described having means for clamping the margin of the forepart of a shoe vamp, said means comprising a lower clamping plate upon which the vamp may be out-spread for the operation of the machine and an upper clamping member, a forepart former movable relatively to the clamping means to shape the vamp, and gages associated with the clamping plate and arranged to assist the operator in positioning the vamp with the tip seam in proper relation to the forepart former.

36. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for clamping the margin of the forepart of a shoe vamp, and curved gages pivoted near the center of the toe and extending outwardly and rearwardly along the corners of the toe.

37 A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for clamping the margin of the forepart of a shoe vamp, gages for the two corners of the toe portion of the vamp, and means for operating said gages without special attention from the operator to hump the vamp.

38. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for clamping the margin of the forepart of a shoe vamp, swinging gages for the two corners and sides of the forepart, and means for operating them to move the vamp after the vamp has been positioned relatively to them.

39. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for clamping the margin of the forepart of a shoe vamp in cluding the sliding plate 12, the gages 3O movable with the plate and also thereover, and the adjustable means 32 arranged to be engaged by the gages in the sliding movement of the plate to actuate the gages.

40. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for clamping the margin of the forepart of a shoe vamp, a

toe former having a contour appropriate for right or left vamps to be stretched, and a tip seam clamp having a corresponding appropriate contour and reversible for right and left vamps.

A1. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for clamping the margin of the forepart of a shoe vamp, a toe former comprising a part having a contour appropriate for a right vamp and another part contoured for a left vamp and reversible for the purpose described, and a cooperating tip seam clamp reversibly sup ported to cooperate with different portions of the toe former.

:2. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for clamping the margin of the forepart of a shoe vamp, including upper and lower clamping members provided with recesses approximating the contour of a last, and means in which said members are supported for reversal to adapt them for right and left vamps.

A3. A machine of the class described having, in combination, a vertically movable cross-head, a reversible clamping plate having an opening approximating the shape of the forepart of a last and removably supported in the cross-head, a second clamping member having a similar opening and pre senting upper and lower clamping edges, and means adapted to support said member with either clamping edge uppermost to enable it to cooperate with the reversible plate for clamping distinctive right and left vamps.

at. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for clamping the margin of the forepart of a shoe vamp, including a lower clamping member and a reversible upper U-shaped clamping memher, a support extending downwardly below the upper edge of the latter member, oppositely directed spring pressed plungers carried by the support and arranged for interlocking engagement with opposite side portions of the upper clamping member, and means for operating the clamping members relatively to do their work.

A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for clamping the margin of the forepart of a shoe vamp, and a double ended toe former movable against the vamp so clamped, one end portion of the former being shaped for stretching a right vamp and the other end being shaped to stretch a left vamp.

A6. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for clamping the margin of the forepart of a shoe vamp, and a double ended toe former movable against the vamp so clamped, a plunger upon the head of which the toe former has sliding engagement, a locking element carried by the head, and cooperating locking elements carried by the two ends of the former and adapted to be used alternatively.

47. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for clamping the margin of the forepart of a shoe vamp, said means being arranged to clamp the vamp first at the toe end and then automatically to extend the lines of clamping along the sides of the forepart.

A8. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for clamping the margin of the forepart of a shoe vamp, and operating means therefor, one of said means being arranged to approach the other in a position to clamp the toe end of the vamp first and then extend the lines of clamping along the sides of the forepart.

A9. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for clamping the margin of the forepart of a shoe vamp, and additional means for gripping the toe end of the vamp before it is so clamped.

50. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for clamping the margin of the forepart 01": a shoe vamp, a forepart former, means for operating the former to shape the vamp, and additional means for holding the tip seam of the vamp during the vamp shaping operation.

51. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for clamping the margin of the forepart of a shoe vamp, and means for engaging the toe end of the vamp and also engaging it at or near the tip seam preparatory to clamping it at the sides of the toe by the clamping means.

52. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for clamping the margin of the forepart of a shoe vamp, a toe former, means for effecting relative movements to cause clamping of the vamp and stretching pressure of the former into the vamp, and means operating automatically for positioning the vamp prior to the clamping action, as and for the purpose described.

53. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for clamping the margin of the forepart of a shoe vamp, a toe former, means for efiecting relative movements to cause clamping of the vamp and stretching pressure of the former into the vamp, and devices operating to position and to hold the vamp so that the longitudinal stretching of the tip portion of the vamp shall exceed the transverse stretching.

54. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for clamping the margin of the forepart of a shoe vamp, a support for the rear part of the vamp including a member extending into the vamp and engaging the inner side of the heel, and a toe former separate from said support for stretching the forepart of the vamp.

55. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for clamping the margin of the forepart of a shoe vamp including a lower clamping plate over which the vamp is outspread in position to be clamped by the cooperating member, means for relatively moving said plate and memher to clamp the vamp, a former for stretching the vamp, and means other than the stretching former for supporting the rear part of the vamp, said means including a member extending into the vamp and engaging the inner side of the heel.

56. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for clamping the margin of the forepart of a shoe vamp including a lower clamping plate over which the vamp is out-spread in position to be clamped by the cooperating member, means for relatively actuating said plate and memher, a rearwardly projecting arm 51, ablock 53 adjustable on the arm and a heel piece carried by the block, said block and heel piece 63 serving to support and hold the rear part of the vamp while the forepart remains outspread on the clamping plate.

57. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for clamping the margin of the forepart of a shoe vamp, and a former movable relatively to the clamping means to stretch the vamp, said machine having provision for automatically moving the side edges of the vamp toward each other prior to the completion of the stretching movement.

58. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for clamping the margin of the forepart of a shoe vamp, a former movable relatively to the clamping means to stretch the vamp, and means for moving the side edges of the vamp toward each other before said edges of the vamp are clamped.

59. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for clamping the margin of the forepart of a shoe vamp, a former movable relatively to the clamping means to stretch the vamp, means for locating the blank permitting it to be initially presented in a more nearly flat position than it occupies while being stretched, and means for automatically moving the side edges of the vamp toward each other to reduce the transverse stretching of the vamp.

60. A machine of the class described having, in combination, yielding means for clamping the margin of the forepart of a shoe vamp, a former movable relatively to the clamping means to stretch the vamp, operating means for producing the stretching movement, and additional means for increasing the force with which the blank is clamped as the stretching proceeds.

61. A machine of the class described having, in combination, shoe upper stretching means comprising a toe former movable transversely to the bottom of the shoe, means for engaging the margin of and holding the upper for the action of said stretching means constructed to permit the presentation thereto of the toe end of the upper in substantially its flat condition and means for causing the sides of the toe to be moved toward each other before the action of the stretching means.

62. In a machine for shaping the toes of shoe uppers, the combination with suitable supporting and operating means, of a pressing member having on one side an edge outline corresponding in contour with the edge contour for the left shoe and provided on its reverse side with an edge outline corresponding in contour with the edge contour for a companion right shoe, said presser member being reversible relatively to its supporting and operating means for use on right and left work.

63. In a machine for shaping the toes of shoe uppers, the combination with suitable supporting and operating means, of a pressing member having two pressing faces, one conforming to the toe portion of a right sole and the other to the toe portion of a left sole, and connections between said supporting means and pressing member whereby said faces may be made interchangeably operative.

64:. In a machine for shaping the toes of shoe uppers, the combination with suitable supporting and operating means, of a pressing member having two pressing faces, one conforming to the toe portion of a right sole and the other to the toe portion of a left sole, and coupling formations on the said member and the supporting means detachably engageable and permitting the pressing member to be supported either face downward, said member being recessed to form a marginal pressing edge.

65. A machine for shaping shoe Vamps preparatory to lasting having, in combination, means for seizing and holding the margin of a vamp, a forepart former, operating mechanism for producing vamp shaping movement between the former and the margin holding means, and a device cooperating with the forepart former to press the vamp upon the former, said machine being constructed and arranged to permit the former to be withdrawn in a substantially horizontal direction to facilitate the presentation of the work to the vamp margin holding means.

66. A machine for shaping shoe Vamps preparatory to lasting having, in combination, means for seizing and holding the margin of a vamp, a forepart former, operating mechanism for producing vamp shaping movement between the former and' the margin holding means, and a device cooperating with the forepart former to compress the vamp upon the former and constructed to confine its pressure substantially to the tip seam line, said machine being constructed and arranged to permit relative displacement between the former and said device to facilitate the presentation of the Work to the vamp margin holding means.

67. A machine for shaping shoe Vamps comprising a recessed outer forming memher, an inner forming member movable through the recess in the outer member to extend beyond the acting face of said member and having substantially the shape of the forepart of a last, a supporting means for said inner member mounted to reciprocate said inner member into and out of the outer member, and a clamping member mounted to reciprocate with said supporting means and elastically supported thereon to enable said clamping member to move toward the outer forming member to clamp a shoe vamp blank between said outer form ing member and the clamping member and to permit further movement of the inner forming member after the clamping member has been moved to clamping position.

68. A machine for shaping the foreparts of shoe vamps comprising a former having substantially the shape to be imparted tothe work, a member recessed to permit movement of the former into it, supporting means for the former arranged to move the former in the recess in said member, and a cooperating member which is shaped to extend from one side of the former around the forward end thereof to the other side and which is open at its rear end, one of said members being mounted to reciprocate with said supporting means and elastically supported to enable it to be moved toward the other member to clamp the forepart of a shoe vamp upon said other member and to permit further movement of the former for shaping the vamp after the clamping of the vamp has been effected.

69. In a machine for shaping shoe Vamps, a former comprising a portion having substantially the shape of the forepart of a last and a portion constituting a rearward extension, an outer member recessed to permit movement of the forepart of the former into it, supporting means for the former arranged to move the forepart of the former into and out of the outer member, and a clamping member which is shaped to extend from one side of the former around the forward end thereof to the other side, said outer member and clamping member being constructed and arranged to permit unobstructed movement of the rear portion of the former with its forward portion and said clamping member being mounted to reciprocate with said supporting means and elastically carried to enable the clamping member to move toward the outer forming member to clamp the forepart of a shoe vamp upon said outer member and to permit further movement of the former for shaping the vamp after the clamping member has been arrested in clamping position.

70. In a machine for shaping shoe Vamps, a recessed outer forming member, an inner forming member movable through the recess in the outer member and comprising a portion having substantially the shape of the forepart of a last and the operative work shaping faces of which are entirely within the boundaries of the recess in the outer forming member, a supporting means for said inner member mounted to reciprocate said inner member into and out of the outer member, and a clamping member mounted to reciprocate with said supporting means and elastically supported thereon to enable said clamping member to move toward the outer forming member to clamp a shoe vamp blank between said outer forming member and the clamping member and to permit further movement of the inner forming member after the clamping member has been moved to clamping position.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

MATTHIAS BROCK. Witnesses:

ARTHUR L. RUSSELL, MARTHA W. COUPE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of IPatents. Washington, I). 0. 

